Loose-leaf-handling device



1929- H. R M CLEARY 1,737,606

LOOSE LEAF HANDLING DEVICE Filed Jan. 12, 1928 0 2 Sheets-Sheet OOOOOOOOOOOO Dec. 3, 1929. McCLEARY LOOSE LEAF HANDLING DEVICE Filed Jan. 12, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY R. MOCLEARY, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WILSON-J ONES COMPANY, A. CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS LOOSE-LEAF-HANDLING DEVICE Application filed January 12, 1928. Serial No. 246,114.

This invention relates to means and method for handling visible index sheets in a loose leaf binder.

In loose leaf binders involving visible indexes, it is customary to arrange the sheets in groups according to some notation, as the alphabet, for example. It is often desirable to remove one group of sheets as a unit, or one group and part of another group, for the removal or insertion of sheets. This invention is designed to facilitate the removal and replacement of any group or number of sheets, whereby a great deal of time and labor may be saved.

The invention comprises the novel structure and combination of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features in the different views:

Figure 1 is an interior plan view of a loose leaf binder containing visible index sheets,

in combination with which this invention is illustrated.

Figure 2 illustrates the method of removing a plurality of sheets from the binder.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the sheethandling device.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the sheethandling device.

Figure 5 is an edge view of the sheet-handling device illustrating the manner of confining the sheets.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Fi *ure 5 illustrating how the sheets are con ed in the forward part of the device.

In order to explain this invention, there is illustrated a Tengwell binder, consisting of the two sides 1 and the opposed impah'ng hooks 2, upon which the visible index sheets 3 are removably confined.

The index sheets overlap to ible index, as is customary in visible indexes. These index sheets are usually arranged in groups, preferably according to the alphabet, and a division leaf 4, bearing an alphabet, is positioned between the alphabetical divirovide a vis-j sions. This particular arrangement, however, is not necessary to this invention.

Assuming that it is desired to insert or remove a sheet positioned at some point intermediate a group, i. e., at some point below the uppermost sheet of such group, it will be necessary to remove the sheets. above this point. After the sheet has been inserted or removed, it is necessary to replace the sheets. It is exceedingly diflicult to maintain the apertures 'in the removed sheets in alignment for replacement upon the impaling hooks; to replace the sheets one by one would involve a great deal of time and labor. To avoid this objectionable feature, I have provided a sheet-handling device which can be inserted at any point and which can grip a plurality of sheets and remove them as a unit and main tain the same in perfect alignment, so that, after a sheet has been inserted or removed, the removed sheets maybe quickly replaced as a unit. While the sheet-handling device may assume various forms, I have illustrated one consisting of a pair of resilient bladelike members 5 and 6, which are secured between the shank portions 7 of a handle 8 in the form of a metal loop.

It will be noted that the blade-like member 5 has an upwardly curved end 9 while the member 6 extends forwardly of such curved ,up end, as indicated at 10, whereby an entrance mouth for the sheets is provided.

The method of handling the sheets consists in inserting the end 10 at the desired point in the group of sheets, as the end 10 is thuswise inserted, the curved end 9 will ride over the top sheets as shown in Figure 1. The handling device is preferably inserted until the end projects beyond the end of the book, as shown in Figure 1, whereon the ends of .the blades may spring together, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Then by elevating the handling device, the sheets confined between its blades may be easily and quickly removed as a unit from the 'impaling hooks. The handling device maintains the sheets with the holes in proper alignment, as shown in Figure 2, on account of the strong resilient action of the blades. A loose sheet may be removed or inserted at the said desired point; then, by

If U

grasping the handlingdevice, the removed sheets held thereby may be easily and quickly replaced.

' From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a novel method and device has been prov-ided for easily and quickly handling loose index sheets in connection with a binder.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and l, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

l claim as my invention:

A loose leaf handling device comprising a resilient blade having a substantially straight forward end, a second resilient blade superposed upon the first blade and normally in contacting relation therewith, said second blade having" an upwardly curved forward end positioned rearwardly of the forward end oi. the first blade, a handle and means for securing said handle and blades together" in testimony whereof I have hereunto sub scribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

HENRY R. MGCLEARYU menace 

